Andrew stepped closer, his heavy shoes clicking sharply on the marble floor. His face was twisted in rage as he glared down at the maid kneeling on the floor. Beside him, Victoria sneered down at Clara, clutching Andrew's velvet sleeve even tighter. The morning sunlight caught the massive diamond engagement ring on Victoria's finger, making it sparkle intensely.
Victoria: Andrew, please! Look at her! She has been filling their heads with nonsense all morning!
Andrew: Is this true? Have you been telling my children lies?
Victoria: She is just a hired maid! She probably wants your money or a bigger settlement from the estate!
Victoria stepped forward, her bright blue satin dress catching the light. She glared disgustedly at Clara, stepping between the father and the crying children. Her sharp heels clacked arrogantly against the marble as she waved a hand dismissively in the air.
Victoria: Get away from them this instant! You have no right to touch Mr. Sterling's sons!
Leo: No! Leave her alone! She is nice to us!
Sam: She is more like Mommy than you will ever be! She sings us the same song!
Leo wrapped his small arms tightly around Clara's neck, refusing to let go. Sam buried his face deeper into the white apron, crying hysterically. Victoria's face flushed with deep red anger at the young boy's words. She reached down angrily, attempting to grab Sam by his small shoulder to pull him away.
Victoria: You ungrateful little brat! I am going to be your new mother after today's gala!
Clara: Please, do not put your hands on them like that! They are frightened!
Clara shifted her body instinctively, shielding both boys with her own arms. She looked up at Andrew with wide, pleading eyes. Tears rolled down Clara's pale cheeks, glistening in the natural daylight under the massive US flag hanging above them. She was shaking from head to toe, but her embrace around the children remained firm and strong.
Andrew: Stop it, Victoria! Let her speak!
Victoria: Andrew, why are you listening to a common servant? We have guests arriving at the country club in an hour for our engagement announcement!
Andrew: I said quiet! I want to know why my sons are clinging to a woman they met three days ago!
Andrew took another step forward, his dark eyes fixed entirely on Clara. The anger in his voice was mixed with a strange, rising confusion. Something about the way Clara held his sons felt painfully familiar. The way she tucked Sam's hair behind his ear was the exact gesture his late wife, Clara, used to do before she disappeared during a storm two years ago.
Clara: I shouldn't have come inside... I only wanted to make sure they were safe...
Victoria: See? She is admitting she crossed the line! Fire her right now, Andrew! Throw her out on the street!
Andrew: Shut up, Victoria!
Andrew shouted, his powerful voice cutting through the hall. Victoria gasped, stepping back in utter shock. She had never heard Andrew speak to her with such raw hostility. Andrew knelt down slowly on the hard marble floor until he was at eye level with the maid and his two weeping sons. The bright daylight illuminated Clara's face completely, casting off the shadows of her maid cap.